KMART VENDOR PAYMENT RULING STANDS

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene last week in a lower court ruling that said Kmart, Troy, Mich., after filing for bankruptcy in 2002, erred in paying debts owed to suppliers deemed crucial to keeping the discount chain open.The high court left intact a February decision by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Chicago, which found Kmart discriminated against

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene last week in a lower court ruling that said Kmart, Troy, Mich., after filing for bankruptcy in 2002, erred in paying debts owed to suppliers deemed crucial to keeping the discount chain open.

The high court left intact a February decision by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Chicago, which found Kmart discriminated against vendors that weren't on the retailer's list of "critical vendors" owed immediate paymen